Home blood pressure self-measurement: “Current situation and new perspectives” / Automedidas domiciliarias de presión arterial: «situación actual y nuevas perspectivas»

The method typically used to diagnose and monitor hypertensive patients has been to measure blood pressure in the physician's surgery; however, it is a well-known fact that this approach poses certain drawbacks, such as observer bias, failure to detect an alert reaction in the clinic, etc., difficulties that affect its accuracy as a diagnostic method.In recent years, the varying international scientific societies have persistently recommended the use of blood pressure measurements outside the clinic (at home or in the outpatient setting), using validated automatic devices. Data from some studies suggest that if we rely solely on in-office measurements, approximately 15–20% of the time we may be wrong when making decisions, both in terms of diagnosis and patient follow-up.Home blood pressure measurements are a simple and very affordable method that has a similar reproducibility and prognostic value as ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, the availability of which is currently very limited. Moreover, ambulatory self-measurements have the significant benefit of being able to improve control of hypertensive individuals.Healthcare professionals and patients should be aware of the methodology of home blood pressure measurement, its usefulness and limitations. (AU)

El método utilizado habitualmente para el diagnóstico y seguimiento de los pacientes hipertensos ha sido la medida de la presión arterial en la consulta, pero es un hecho conocido que este método plantea problemas (sesgos del observador, no detecta reacción de alerta en consulta…) que afectan a su precisión como método diagnóstico.Las diferentes sociedades científicas internacionales, en los últimos años, recomiendan de forma insistente el uso de medidas de presión arterial fuera de la consulta (domiciliarias o ambulatorias) con aparatos automáticos validados para tomar decisiones. Datos de algunos estudios sugieren que si solo utilizamos las medidas de la consulta nos podemos equivocar en torno a un 15-20% de las veces que tomemos decisiones en el diagnóstico y seguimiento de los pacientes.Las medidas domiciliarias de presión arterial son un método sencillo y muy accesible que tienen una reproducibilidad y valor pronóstico similar al de las medidas ambulatorias, cuya disponibilidad actualmente e muy limitada, y que además tienen una utilidad importante que es la posibilidad de mejora del control de los hipertensos.Los profesionales sanitarios y los pacientes deben conocer la metodología de uso de la medida de presión arterial domiciliaria y sus utilidades y limitaciones. (AU)

Home blood pressure self-measurement: "Current situation and new perspectives".

The method typically used to diagnose and monitor hypertensive patients has been to measure blood pressure in the physician's surgery; however, it is a well-known fact that this approach poses certain drawbacks, such as observer bias, failure to detect an alert reaction in the clinic, etc., difficulties that affect its accuracy as a diagnostic method. In recent years, the varying international scientific societies have persistently recommended the use of blood pressure measurements outside the clinic (at home or in the outpatient setting), using validated automatic devices. Data from some studies suggest that if we rely solely on in-office measurements, approximately 15-20% of the time we may be wrong when making decisions, both in terms of diagnosis and patient follow-up. Home blood pressure measurements are a simple and very affordable method that has a similar reproducibility and prognostic value as ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, the availability of which is currently very limited. Moreover, ambulatory self-measurements have the significant benefit of being able to improve control of hypertensive individuals. Healthcare professionals and patients should be aware of the methodology of home blood pressure measurement, its usefulness and limitations.

[Giant Cell Arteritis. Recommendations in Primary Care]. / Arteritis de las células gigantes. Recomendaciones en Atención Primaria.

Giant cell arteritis is a systemic vasculitis with significant intra and extracranial involvement that, with early diagnosis and treatment in primary care, can improve its prognosis as it is a medical emergency. Our working group on vascular diseases of the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians (SEMERGEN) proposes a series of recommendations based on current scientific evidence for a multidisciplinary approach and follow-up in primary care.

[COVID-19 and thromboprophylaxis: Recommendations for our clinical practice in Primary Care]. / COVID-19 y tromboprofilaxis: recomendaciones para nuestra práctica clínica en Atención Primaria.

The new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for a severe acute respiratory syndrome. Among its manifestations, it can develop a thrombotic disease, both venous and arterial, due to excessive inflammation that affects the vascular system, with platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction, among other mechanisms. Thrombosis is associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, increasing its severity and conferring a worse prognosis. Our performance as Family Physicians can contribute important actions in the management and control of this severe complication. Considering that many of our patients already receive antithrombotic or anticoagulant therapy, the fact that they may develop a COVID-19 infection will have implications for the choice, dosage and control of their treatment. In this document we review, with the information currently available, the relationship between disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 and thrombosis, as well as its management with a focus on Primary Care.

COVID-19 y tromboprofilaxis: recomendaciones para nuestra práctica clínica en Atención Primaria / COVID-19 and thromboprophylaxis: recommendations for our clinical practice in Primary Care

El nuevo coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) es el responsable de un síndrome respiratorio agudo severo (SARS). Entre sus manifestaciones puede desarrollar una enfermedad trombótica, tanto venosa como arterial, debido a la inflamación excesiva que afecta al sistema vascular, con activación plaquetaria y disfunción endotelial, entre otros mecanismos. La trombosis se asocia a la infección producida por el SARS- CoV-2, aumentando su gravedad y confiriendo un peor pronóstico. Nuestra actuación como Médicos de Familia puede aportar acciones importantes en el manejo y control de esta severa complicación. Teniendo en cuenta que muchos de nuestros pacientes ya reciben terapia antitrombótica o anticoagulante, el hecho de que puedan desarrollar una infección por COVID-19 tendrá implicaciones para la elección, la dosificación y el control en su tratamiento. En este documento, revisamos, con la información actualmente disponible, la relación entre enfermedad producida por el SARS-CoV-2 y trombosis, así como su manejo con un enfoque centrado en Atención Primaria

The new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for a severe acute respiratory syndrome. Among its manifestations, it can develop a thrombotic disease, both venous and arterial, due to excessive inflammation that affects the vascular system, with platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction, among other mechanisms. Thrombosis is associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, increasing its severity and conferring a worse prognosis. Our performance as Family Physicians can contribute important actions in the management and control of this severe complication. Considering that many of our patients already receive antithrombotic or anticoagulant therapy, the fact that they may develop a COVID-19 infection will have implications for the choice, dosage and control of their treatment. In this document we review, with the information currently available, the relationship between disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 and thrombosis, as well as its management with a focus on Primary Care

Control de la presión arterial en una población hipertensa diabética asistida en atención primaria. «Estudio PRESCAP-Diabetes» / Blood pressure control in a diabetic hypertensive population attended in primary care setting. “PRESCAP-Diabetes study”

Objetivos: Conocer el grado de control de la PA en una amplia muestra de pacientes hipertensos diabéticos atendidos en atención primaria, y determinar los factores asociados al mal control tensional. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal y multicéntrico que incluyó a hipertensos diabéticos de 18 años o más, reclutados mediante muestreo consecutivo por médicos de familia de toda España. La medida de PA se realizó siguiendo normas estandarizadas, calculándose la media aritmética de al menos 2 tomas sucesivas separadas entre sí 2 minutos. Se consideró buen control de la HTA al promedio de PA inferior a 140/90mmHg según recomienda la European Society Hypertension (ESH 2009). Se evaluó igualmente el porcentaje de pacientes con PA por debajo de 130/80mmHg (ESH 2007 y American Diabetes Association 2010). Se registraron datos sociodemográficos, clínicos, factores de riesgo cardiovascular, trastornos clínicos asociados y tratamientos farmacológicos. Resultados: Se incluyeron a 2.752 pacientes (55,6% mujeres) con una edad media de 67,1 (9,8) años. El 64,3% presentaba dislipemia, 61,8% sedentarismo, 46,5% obesidad, 41,2% antecedentes de ECV y el 16,0% tabaquismo. El 66,1% recibía terapia combinada (2 fármacos 43,5%, 3 fármacos17,9% y 4 fármacos o más 4,7%). Siguiendo las recomendaciones de 2009 el 47,3% (IC 95%: 45,4–49,2) presentó buen control de PAS y PAD, 50,2% (IC 95%: 48,3–52,1) solo de PAS y el 79,8% (IC 95%: 78,3–81,3) únicamente de PAD; considerando los criterios de 2007 el 15,1% (IC 95%: 13,8–16,4) mostró buen control de PAS y PAD, 22,5% (IC 95%: 20,9–24,1) de PAS y el 38,2% (IC 95%: 36,4–40,0) de PAD. La obesidad, el sedentarismo y no haber tomado la medicación el día de la visita fueron los factores que más se asociaron al mal control de la HTA (χ2 de Wald; p<0,01)...(AU)

Objectives: To know the grade of blood pressure (BP) control in a large sample of diabetic hypertensive patients attended in Primary Care (PC) and to determine the factors associated to poor blood pressure control. Material and methods: A cross-sectional and multicenter study that included diabetic hypertensive subjects of 18 years or older, recruited by consecutive sampling by family doctors throughout Spain. The measurement of BP was performed following standardized guidelines, calculating the arithmetic mean of at least two successive measurements separated by two minutes. Good control of arterial hypertension (AHT) was considered to be the average of BP lower than 140/90mmHg as recommended by the European Society Hypertension (ESH 2009). The percentage of patients with BP below 130/80mmHg (ESH 2007 and American Diabetes Association 2010) was also evaluated. Socio-demographic, clinical data, cardiovascular risk factors, associated clinical disorders and drug treatments were also recorded. Results: A total of 2752 patients (55.6% women) with a mean (SD) age of 67.1 (9.8) years were included. Of these, 64.3% presented dyslipidemia, 61.8% sedentary life style, 46.5% obesity, 41.2% background of cardiovascular disease and 16.0% smoked. A total of 66.1% received combined therapy (two drugs 43.5%, three 17.9% and four or more 4.7%). Following the 2009 recommendations, 47.3% (95% CI: 45.4–49.2) had good control of the systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP), 50.2% (95% CI: 48.3–52.1) only of the SBP and 79.8% (95% CI: 78.3–81.3) only of DBP. Considering the 2007 criteria, 15.1% (95% CI: 13.8–16.4) showed good control of SBP and DBP, 22.5% (95% CI: 20.9–24.1) of SBP and 38.2% (95% CI: 36.4–40.0) of DBP. Obesity, sedentary life, and not having taken the medication on the day of the visit were the factors that were most associated to the poor control of AHT (Wald χ2; p<0.01)...(AU)

[Development of a program of prevention of drug dependence in school children]. / Desarrollo de un programa de prevención de drogodependencias en escolares.

OBJECTIVE: To promote healthy habits of behaviour among school-children so that they reject drug-taking and learn to identify high-risk situations. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study. SETTING: The Amorós private school in Carabanchel, in Madrid's Health District XI. PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS: 45 pupils from the eighth year of basic, aged between 13 and 14. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative indicators were: number of students who attended the activities organised, their level of participation, the number of new terms, increase in knowledge. Qualitative indicators were the oral poll of class leaders, attainment of objectives, later evaluation of changes in attitude towards drug-takers and collages among the initiatives after the course. Drug-taking usually starts in the family context, leisure situations and peers. In this study isolated consumption was also detected. Most commonly consumed drugs were: caffeine, tobacco (mainly Virginia), alcohol occasionally, and cannabis. CONCLUSIONS: The type and form of drug-taking found is very similar to that of other, Spaniards of the same age. We found children who were not drug-takers, but were anxious about this because they "wanted to try out drugs".